Topical Bible: Assyria: Possibly to Egypt

◄ Assyria: Possibly to Egypt ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Historical Context:
Assyria was a dominant Mesopotamian kingdom and empire, known for its powerful military and expansive conquests. It played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East, particularly during the first millennium BC. The Assyrian Empire reached its zenith under rulers such as Tiglath-Pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib, and Ashurbanipal. Its capital cities included Ashur, Nineveh, and later, Calah (Nimrud).

Biblical Significance:
Assyria is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often as an instrument of God's judgment against Israel and Judah due to their disobedience and idolatry. The Assyrians are depicted as a formidable force used by God to execute His divine will, yet they are also subject to His judgment for their pride and cruelty.

Key Biblical References:

1. Assyria as an Instrument of Judgment:
· In 2 Kings 17:6, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V is noted for capturing Samaria and exiling the Israelites, marking the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes."

2. Prophetic Warnings and Judgments:
· The prophet Isaiah frequently speaks of Assyria as a tool of God's wrath. Isaiah 10:5-6 states, "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath. I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to seize the spoil and snatch the plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets."
· However, Isaiah also prophesies Assyria's downfall due to its arrogance (Isaiah 10:12): "When the Lord has finished all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, 'I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.'"

3. Assyria's Interaction with Judah:
· King Hezekiah of Judah faced the threat of Assyrian invasion under Sennacherib. In 2 Kings 19:35, God miraculously delivers Jerusalem: "That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!"

4. Assyria and Egypt:
· The relationship between Assyria and Egypt is complex, with periods of conflict and alliance. In Isaiah 19:23-25, a future vision of peace includes both Assyria and Egypt: "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will join a three-party alliance with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing upon the earth. The LORD of Hosts will bless them, saying, 'Blessed be Egypt My people, Assyria My handiwork, and Israel My inheritance.'"

Theological Implications:
Assyria's role in biblical history underscores the sovereignty of God over nations and empires. Despite Assyria's might and the terror it inspired, it was ultimately subject to God's purposes. The biblical narrative highlights themes of judgment, repentance, and the hope of redemption, even for nations like Assyria, which were once enemies of God's people.

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Genesis 25:18
And they dwelled from Havilah to Shur, that is before Egypt, as you go toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brothers.
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Library

The Reaction against Egypt
... The religious confusion in Egypt under Tutankhamon and Ai ... Euphrates as far as the
Balikh, possibly even to ... paid him homage: beyond this, Assyria and Chaldaea ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... subduing that country as well as the future Assyria. ... not to believe that between
the art of Egypt in the ... in Mesopotamia, and from Gubin, which is possibly Gebal ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Egypt
... between Egypt on the one side and Assyria and Babylonia ... inhabited by at least one
race, possibly of Libyan ... are met with in various localities in Upper Egypt. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... only brought up by bribes on the border of Egypt.(109) This ... streets of Jerusalem
any recently introduced Baals and possibly, as Assyria's sovereignty relaxed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... of war on the eastern frontier of Assyria: in reality ... name of the town, Tyana, Tuana,
is possibly composed of ... of Syria, close to the brook of Egypt, had made ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Chaldaea, Egypt, Assyria, and Persia presided in turn over its ... Babylon in magnificence
and power: Egypt could boast ... i-Kirind and Kerkhah, or possibly higher up ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

How Vainglory May be Useful to Us.
... enchained by the praises of vainglory, you cannot possibly rush on ... been taken captive
by Necho, King of Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Assyria, came up ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii how vainglory may.htm

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... of the nature of a sign can possibly come out ... spoil of Samaria before the king of
Assyria is no ... brought up children." [3283] So likewise by Egypt is sometimes ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm